Michael and Ann Mara
Mike and Ann currently live in Bend, Oregon, with their two children Michael (2004) and Jane (2006), and will be moving to Kijabe, Kenya in 2012.
Mike grew up in Midland, Michigan. He received his Anthropology degree from the University of Notre Dame, and then graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School. After completing a residency in orthopaedic surgery in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mike went into private practice in Bend in 1995. In 2000, he completed advanced training in hand and microvascular surgery at the University of Utah and then returned to his practice in Bend.
Ann was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. She received a B.A. in Geography and Sociology and a teaching degree from Trinity College, Dublin. She subsequently volunteered for two years as a high school teacher in Lesotho, Southern Africa. Following this, she completed her M.A. in International Development at Kimmage College, Dublin. She then accepted a two-year assignment with Volunteer Missionary Movement in Tanzania.
Mike and Ann first met in the small village of Musoma, Tanzania in 2001. While Mike immediately discerned God’s long term plan for their future together, Ann needed a little more convincing! They were married in Dublin in 2003.
Since meeting in East Africa, Mike and Ann have hoped and prayed that God would call them back to serve in long-term missions. They are excited to be joining the WHM team in Kenya. Mike looks forward to serving as an orthopaedic surgeon and teaching the interns and residents at Kijabe Hospital. Ann has most recently worked in project management with World Relief and The Justice Conference and hopes to continue to serve in a similar capacity in Kenya. Michael and Jane have been raised with idea of one day moving to Africa, and are excitedly embracing the move and their new school.
DESIGNATION NUMBER: 51553
